Soros-Backed D.A. Sued By L.A. Prosecutors Over Reducing Sentence Enhancements
George Gascón announced radical changes earlier this year
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The newly installed George Soros-backed District Attorney George Gascón is being sued by The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) of Los Angeles County over his recent order to ban prosecutors from enhanced prison sentences, and declining prosecutions for various crimes.
Gascón announced radical changes earlier this year, including eliminating cash bail.
Soros donated $1.5 million to the California Justice and Safety PAC, which backed Gascón.
Gascón issued a ban on the death penalty and a prohibition on extended sentences for exacerbating circumstances, such as belonging to a gang or using a gun.
Ongoing cases were affected by the new rules, like one involving a suspect charged with a double murder, which included that of L.A. Sherrif’s Deputy Gilbert Solano.
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But Gascón restored some enhancements after a massive outcry from the officer’s family.
These, however, were for a limited set of circumstances child abuse, sex trafficking, or hate crimes.
"Enhancements do not have anything to do with accountability." And yet, the next day, the DA authorizes enhancements in certain cases. If he really believes they don't have anything to do with accountability, why is he allowing them?https://t.co/kNG8JBaJ5b
— LAADDA (@LACountyADDA) December 19, 2020
The lawsuit seeks an injunction against Gascón’s new policy, arguing it violates California state law.
NEW: @LACountyADDA, the union representing nearly 1,000 L.A. County prosecutors, has filed a lawsuit against their boss, D.A. George Gascon, arguing that his directives to end enhancements, special circumstances, strikes, violate state law. Asking judge for an injunction. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/ZVIrQ9sFn6
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) December 30, 2020
In a statement, the ADDA explained:
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As detailed in the lawsuit, the directives violate California law, which imposes a mandatory duty on prosecutors to plead and prove strike priors. Dismissals of those priors can only be based on individual circumstances, not a blanket policy.
Similarly, special circumstance allegations that will result in a life without parole sentence cannot be dismissed under the section cited by the directive.
“Los Angeles County prosecutors have been placed in an impossible position. Do we follow our legal and ethical responsibilities and risk getting disciplined, even fired, by our new boss?"
"Or do we follow his policy directives and risk losing our California State Bar Cards and, by extension, our ability to practice law anywhere in the state? We’re asking a court to answer those questions,” stated ADDA Vice President Eric Siddall.
The L.A. Superior Court ordered the D.A. to respond to the lawsuit, while the ADDA withdrew its request for a restraining order allowing the case to be heard expeditiously.
Gascón attempted to defend his policy on Twitter:
People must be held accountable, but we often put ppl in prison for extra years, increasing recidivism & creating more victims.
— George Gascón (@GeorgeGascon) December 31, 2020
This is unsafe, unjust & wastes taxpayer $.
Prosecutors enter an appearance “for the people” & the decisions we make must be in the people’s interest.
Gascón cited a Los Angeles Times editorial praising him on his reforms on “irrational” laws in his defense.
Gascón is one of a number of left-wing prosecutors backed by Soros.
